‘Ecofriendly sustainability key to combating climate change’

LAHORE:The speakers while addressing the Heal Pakistan Conference, emphasised the critical need for environmental sustainability and proactive measures to combat climate change.

The Heal Pakistan Conference was organised by Nespak, in strategic partnership with Synergy Inc., at local hotel here on Thursday. Nespak Managing Director and President Zargham Eshaq Khan inaugurated the conference. The high-level conference brought together policymakers, environmental experts, urban planners, and industry leaders to discuss the country’s most pressing climate and sustainability challenges.

Through collaborative discussions, policy dialogues, and strategic planning, the initiative aims to chart a path toward a climate-resilient Pakistan, ensuring both environmental sustainability and economic viability.

Key focus areas of the conference were climate adaptation strategies to mitigate environmental risks, sustainable infrastructure and resilient urban development, green energy solutions and carbon reduction policies and eco-driven economic models and circular economy approaches

Pakistan stands at a crucial turning point in its fight against climate change, necessitating urgent and collective action. Under the Green Punjab Initiative, the Punjab govt has launched an ambitious initiative Heal Pakistan – Green Sustainability and Climate Change. This initiative is designed to address the growing environmental challenges by promoting sustainable development and climate resilience across the country. Chief Executive Officer of Synergy Inc. Ms Ambrin Sipra presented the key insights on the topics "App Demonstration – A Digital Leap for Environmental and Infrastructure Integration" and "Technology and Sustainability - Bridging the Gap between Policy and Practice."

SUPARCO DG M Imran spoke on policy direction for data integration and necessity of local satellite based data to address climate change challenges. EPA Additional DG Dr Zafar Iqbal highlighted the topic of Regulatory Framework for Sustainable Urbanisation.

Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Director Engineering Zeeshan Usman emphasised that essential services should be within 15 minutes distance to control emissions and promote pedestrian and environment friendly modes of transport. Moreover, joint efforts between like-minded people are required to reach a feasible solution to climate related issues, he added.

Prof Catalina Turcu from University College of London presented factors most detrimental towards health with respect to climate change mainly consisting of heat waves, poor air quality etc. Bank of Punjab (BOP) Vice President discussed financial models that supporting green infrastructure development.

Member Judicial Water and Environment Commission of Punjab Kamal Ali Haider stressed upon the fact that balance must be ensured between the existing landscape and proposed green interventions. Consequently, it is imperative that existing green spaces must be incorporated by urban planners in their designs rather than replacing them or allowing them to be damaged in place of new initiatives.

Ministry of Climate Change director underscored the reality of climate change and emphasised on collaborative efforts towards climate financing to meet subsequent challenges.